SPEED KING’S DOG

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1931, Page 2

SPEED KING’S DOG

DIES OF BROKEN HEART. “WIZARD” SMITH’S LOSS. . Auckland, December 17. A pathetic illuhtratibu of animal devotion was revealed when Mr. Norman Smith, who is in Auckland preparing for his attack on the world land speed record on Ninety-Mile (Beach, was informed-by letter that his Australian cattle dog Bonzo had died in Sydney of a broken heart. The animal,.which is well known to the Australian public for its constant attendance, on the racing motorist, had refused to e’at since the departure of his master for New Zealand on December 4, and pined gradually away. _ • Air. Smith came into possession of the dog when he found it early one morning sitting behide a milk jug on his doorstep. The animal whined so piteously that ho took compassion on its loneliness and led it in. He fed it, restored it to health and gave'it a home, in return for which kindness the dog became his devoted and inseparable cotupanion, acconwa-riying him on hi* motoring ex-

curaions and guarding his home in his absence. • ■' The dog had his master’s taste for speed, ridinig on a seat beside the wheel, and when Mr. Smith caught Hie eteamer for Auckland ißonzo came to the wharf to 'bid. him a doleful farewell. He could not take his'roaster's departure philosophically, and after whining dismally for days, finally lay down and died..